砥 石(といし)

といし

noun

whetstone, sharpening stone

1. whetstone, sharpening stone

A stone used for sharpening blades such as kitchen knives, scissors, or tools. Water is typically applied to the stone while grinding the blade against its surface.

包丁(ほうちょう)を砥石(といし)で研(と)いだ。

I sharpened the kitchen knife with a whetstone.

砥石(といし)は使(つか)う前(まえ)に水(みず)に浸(ひた)しておく。

Soak the whetstone in water before using it.

料理人(りょうりにん)は自分(じぶん)の砥石(といし)を大切(たいせつ)にしている。

Chefs take good care of their own whetstones.

TYPES BY GRIT:

荒砥(あらと) (coarse whetstone) - for initial sharpening, fixing chips
中砥(なかと) (medium whetstone) - general sharpening
仕上(しあ)げ砥(と) (finishing stone) - for final polish

FAMOUS WHETSTONES:

天然(てんねん)砥石(といし) (natural whetstone)
京都(きょうと)の天然(てんねん)砥石(といし) (Kyoto natural stones) - highly valued
人造(じんぞう)砥石(といし) (synthetic whetstone)

USAGE:

水(みず)砥石(といし) (water stone) - most common type in Japan
油砥石(あぶらといし) (oil stone) - uses oil instead of water

RELATED TOOLS:

包丁(ほうちょう) (kitchen knife)
研(と)ぎ器(き) (knife sharpener - simpler alternative)
革砥(かわと) (leather strop) - for final polishing

TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE:

Japanese blade sharpening (研(と)ぎ) is considered a skill
Professional sharpeners (研(と)ぎ師(し)) still exist
Proper angle and pressure are crucial

COLLOCATIONS:

砥石(といし)で研(と)ぐ (to sharpen with a whetstone)
砥石(といし)を水(みず)に浸(ひた)す (to soak the whetstone)

general

Added 2026.1.18 8:08 · Revised 2026.7.18 0:29

06500/06525_toishi